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A trio of anti-LGBT politicians asks Georgians to promote them

The race among Georgia Republicans for the state's two top elected positions is turning into a crowded collection of anti-LGBT candidates. Welcome to the party, David Shafer and Hunter Hill.

Because why have just one anti-gay candidate when you can have three.

The two Republican state senators announced recently they are seeking higher office. Shafer (photo right) – also president pro tem of the state Senate – wants a promotion to lieutenant governor. Hill (photo center) is running for governor.

Both men want a bigger soapbox for their conservative visions. Or at least escape state Senate districts that are increasingly leaning Democratic.

“I can tell you that obviously a lot of prayer and discussion goes into a decision like this,” he said. “I’m not scared, per se, of any candidate getting in the race because I have a vision and passion and interest of helping Georgia reach its utmost potential. We’re going to give it our heart and soul, and we’re going to try to win every vote.”

Shafer said he spent the last five weeks talking with more than 1,200 Georgians and that their “heartwarming” support encouraged him to run.

But Shafer likely didn't mean LGBT people. Earlier this year, he backed an anti-LGBT "religious freedom" bill that Gov. Nathan Deal and legislative leaders made clear they didn't want. In 2016, he opposed federal guidelines concerning the safety and treatment of transgender students and helped create – and then vote for – the same anti-LGBT "religious freedom" legislation Hill backed. He also invited anti-gay Rev. Yoon Young Chung to the state Senate so he could call "homosexuality an abomination."

Hill and Shafer join Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle (photo left) in the race. Cagle – who has long championed discrimination against LGBT people – said he won't stand for discrimination against anyone as he launched his bid to become Georgia's next governor.

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